Welcome to Oceanside, a charming region of Vancouver Island encompassing Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs, and a sprinkle of smaller centers. The area beckons visitors year-round with its diverse offerings no matter when you visit. The many delightful experiences tailored to kids make it a wonderful, family-friendly place to visit.
Here's a curated list of activities to ensure your time here is brimming with joy and adventure for the whole family.
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Family-Friendly Golf in Parksville
Who doesn't love a round of mini-golf? Parksville has two locations that offer whimsical courses. And if you are looking for a real golf experience, head to Parksville's family-friendly 9-hole course.
Riptide Lagoon
Riptide Lagoon, located near Rathtrevor Provincial Park, has two courses based on a fishing village. As you meander around the courses, you will interact with quaint little houses, a lighthouse, caves, a ship under construction, and Wandering Willie`s plane. The scene around you provides plenty of unique places to stop for photo ops. Riptide Lagoon also has laser tag bumper cars, an arcade, and a snack shop selling ice cream for even more fun.
Location: 1000 Resort Drive (adjacent to the entrance of Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park)
Important Info: Closed during the winter. Opening Day is mid-March.
Paradise Fun Park
Paradise Fun Park also has two courses to choose from. Mini-golf past waterfalls, fountains, lush, brightly coloured flowers, a lighthouse, a windmill and a waterwheel (to name a few). You'll have fun no matter which course you choose.
If the weather is warm, I highly recommend riding the bumper boats. This attraction will leave you giggling—and wet! Paradise Fun Park also has a game pavilion, sweet shack, and ice cream shop, plus a motel and RV park attached to the property.
Location: 375 Island Hwy W, Parksville
Important Info: The location is closed from mid-October until mid-March. Spring and early Fall hours are weather-dependent.
Brigadoon Golf Course
Brigadoon offers a unique 9-hole layout, with a mix of par threes and fours. Golfers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the course. The course is open to the public seven days a week and conveniently located just 1 minute from HWY 19A.
Location: 359 Martindale Rd, Parksville
Meet Some Animals
Get up close and personal with various animals at the following Oceanside locations.
Morningstar Farm
Home to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, this place is a must for the whole family! Meet the animals, explore the Fairy Door Trail, try out Canada`s first milk dispenser where you can buy milk on tap, sample artisan cheeses made on-site, and sit and enjoy great food at the Calfé.
Location: 403 Lowrys Rd, Parksville
Hours of Operation: Open daily, including all stat holidays – except Dec 25-26 & Jan 1-2
Hamilton Hobby Farm
This hobby farm boasts a myriad of animals, including horses, goats, potbelly pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and many other critters. They also offer hayrides around their beautiful 12-acre property and host several fun holiday celebrations throughout the year. While there, you can purchase farm products, including eggs, seasonal fruits, vegetables, jams, poultry and various small gifts.
Location: 2679 Alberni Highway (right across the street from Butterfly World in Coombs)
Important Information: Closed during the winter. Typically only open on weekends from late spring up until mid-June. During the summer they are open every day but Monday.
Wildlife Recovery Center
The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is located in a park-like setting with a peaceful, rustic atmosphere. This centre prides itself on educating the public. When visiting the centre, you can view eagles, several species of owls, falcons, hawks, ravens, and black bears. Most of the wildlife that arrives at this centre is eventually released back into the wild once it has recovered from its ailment. Only those that are non-releasable due to having suffered too much damage are kept at the facility.
Location: 1240 Leffler Road in Errington.
Hours of Operation: 7 days a week from 9:00 – 4:30
Butterfly World
At Butterfly World in Coombs, stroll among hundreds of free-flying exotic butterflies. Also, enjoy tropical birds, hummingbirds, giant koi fish, and turtles. There is an outdoor bird aviary, turtle pond, water gardens, Orchid Garden (summer season), Tropical Gardens, Big Bug Jungle, and a unique boutique.
Location: 1080 Winchester Road in Coombs
Hours of Operation: Open mid-March until mid-October.
Shop the Market and See Some Goats
No visit to Oceanside is complete without a trip to Coombs Country Market to see the famous goats on the roof. But while there, a scoop or two of their delicious ice cream and a doughnut are a must! The market offers a unique shopping experience with a wide selection of international foods, fresh-baked goods, and imported gifts. There are a few great onsite restaurants, and kids will love climbing on and around the giant statues.
Location: 2326 Alberni Hwy, Coombs
Important Information: The Market area is closed for the months of January and February except for Cuckoo's Trattoria (the onsite Italian restaurant).
Above Ground and Underground Adventures
Milner Gardens
Milner Gardens is a great place for the kids to run and explore! This seaside garden in Qualicum Beach offers 70 acres of unspoiled natural beauty. Stroll through the winding pathways lined with old Douglas Firs. Or meander through 10 acres of woodland gardens filled with rhododendrons and trilliums. End the afternoon with High Tea at the Historic Milner House while ogling the panoramic ocean views.
Location: 2179 West Island Highway, Qualicum Beach
Important Information:
- Fully closed in January and November
- Extremely limited hours and days in February, March, and October
- Limited hours and days in April and September
- Please check their online calendar for up-to-date information
Parksville Museum
Step back in time at the Parksville Museum, where you can discover the area's history and heritage through interactive exhibits and artifacts. It's a fun and educational experience for the whole family and one of the most kid-friendly museums I've ever visited.
Location: 1245 Island Highway.
Important Information: The museum closes during the winter months.
Horne Lake Caves
The Riverbend Cave Tour is a fantastic introduction to the abundance of caves found on Vancouver Island. This family-friendly caving is great for everyone over the age of 5.
The 90-minute tour explores the largest and easiest passages of the Riverbend Cave. Rest assured that this one has no tight spaces to crawl or squeeze through! After a 25-minute leisurely hike (with plenty of educational stops along the way), you enter the gated portion of Riverbend Cave. Once inside, you can view amazing crystal formations, soda straws, and a ‘Smiling Buddha”.
Beaches and Playgrounds
It just so happens that two of the best beaches in the area also have great playgrounds!
Parksville Community Park
Parksville Community Park is home to the beautiful Parksville Beach and many other great attractions. Here, you'll find a waterfront boardwalk, outdoor fitness gym, skateboard park, tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, food trucks, and a fantastic wheelchair-accessible playground (to name a few). The playground is a wonderland of swings, climbing structures, slides, and a newly revamped water park.
The Community Park is a hotspot when the weather is warm due mainly to the various festivals and activities that happen here. Most notable is the Parksville Beach Festival, which happens each year in July and August.
Park Location: 193 Beachside Dr, Parksville
Rathtrevor Beach
Rathtrevor Beach stretches nearly a kilometre out into the Strait of Georgia at low tide. The warm, shallow water makes it ideal for young children to swim, and the miles of sand make it a perfect location to build sandcastles. A lovely trail stretches from one end of Rathtrevor Provincial Park to the other and follows alongside the shore. The trail is flat and well-maintained and great for kids on bikes. The beachside playground is found to the left of the main parking lot.
Park Location: The most convenient public access to this desirable beach is through the Provincial Park, which is located at 1240 Rath Rd, Parksville.
Easy (yet Interesting) Trails
Top Bridge
Top Bridge Park has a great network of biking and walking trails, cool freshwater pools perfect for fishing and/or swimming, and magnificent rock-faced cliffs that teeter over the beautiful Englishman River. The large suspension bridge that spans the river is also pretty fantastic.
Location: Top Bridge has several access points. For easy access to the suspension bridge, head to Chattell Road. Just past the truck scales on Highway 19A, you will come to a four-way stop. Continue through this four-way stop and turn right onto Chattell Road. You will find the large parking area at the very end.
Englishman River Falls
Englishman River Falls features not one but two beautiful waterfalls. A short 1.5 km loop trail will take you to both the upper and lower falls. The views are spectacular along the way, especially from the two bridges that cross the river.
Location: Englishman River Falls is located in the same area as Englishman River Provincial Park. From Parksville, take Highway 4A (Alberni Hwy) towards Errington. Turn left onto Errington Road off Highway 4A (watch for directional signs posted on the highway). Follow Errington Road right to the end.
Moorecroft Regional Park
Moorecroft is a beautiful park in Nanoose Bay that offers great trails that meander through a wooded area and along the ocean. Enjoy the many stroller-friendly paths to see what you can find. The diverse landscape makes it a wonderment for all ages. And it's the absolute perfect place to while away a few hours.
Location: 1563 Stewart Road, Nanoose Bay
Little Qualicum Falls
There are 6 km of walking trails throughout the Qualicum Falls area. They all leave from the Provincial Park campground or Little Qualicum Falls day-use area. The trails meander through old-growth and second-growth forests along the Little Qualicum River.
For a relatively easy 3km walk (approximately 1 hour), leave from the day-use area and follow the loop trail to view the lower and upper waterfalls. Lookout points are located along the trail and offer spectacular views.
Location: Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park (campground and day-use area) is located 19 km west of Parksville on Hwy 4 (Alberni Hwy). Watch for signage along the highway to lead you
Cathedral Grove
Cathedral Grove is one of the most easily accessible stands of old-growth forest on Vancouver Island. Easy trails on either side of the highway lead visitors through paths lined with ancient Douglas Firs, some of which are over 800 years old. These giants are the survivors of a forest fire that ravaged the area some 350 years ago.
Location: MacMillan Park (Cathedral Grove) is located on Hwy 4, on your way to Port Alberni. You know you have arrived when you see the congestion of cars parked on either side of the road.
Wildlife Viewing
It's not uncommon to see Eagles, hawks, herons, seals, sea lions and even whales when exploring Oceanside. However, there are a few places and activities where your chances of viewing them are much higher.
- Big Qualicum River Hatchery is a fantastic place to be when salmon are spawning in the fall. If you visit during spawning season, you'll most likely see Eagles, herons, and sometimes even black bears.
- French Creek Marina (1055 Lee Road, Parksville). In the spring, especially around the Herring Spawn, this area is populated with sea lions, seals, many seabirds and eagles.
- Rathtrevor Beach is a great area to spot eagles, wild rabbits, owls and many seabirds at any time of year.
- Whale Watching: Head out on a half-day whale and wildlife adventure right in Parksville. This fantastic whale-watching tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Deep Bay Marine Field Station
If you are willing to drive further north (but still within the Oceanside boundaries), I highly recommend visiting the Deep Bay Marine Field Station.
This unique green research facility has been designed to host a wide variety of public education activities, including guided and self-guided tours, school groups, summer camps and more. Visitors can see various local species in the aquariums and touch tanks, watch research scientists hard at work in their labs, and explore the wetland habitat adjacent to the station.
Important Information: If you expect an aquarium experience like those found in many larger cities worldwide, you will be disappointed. This is a research station, first and foremost.
Location: 370 Crome Point Rd., Bowser
Hours of Operation: The station is open to the public from May 18 to September 2, 2024.
Restaurants for Kids in Parksville (and surrounding areas)
Many great restaurants in the area have menus dedicated to kids and/or have delicious kid-friendly fare. Best of all, the restaurants mentioned below are as equally wonderful for the parents as well! Here are a few of my favourite kid-friendly restaurants in the Oceanside area.
Nanoose Bay
- Nanoose Bay Cafe has a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and small market. They have a West Coast-inspired menu with Asian influences. And the view overlooking the bay is incredible!
Parksville
- Cedars Restaurant offers a variety of menus, including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Appetizers. Takeout options are also available.
- Black Goose Inn overlooks Rathtrevor Beach and is inside a beautiful English-style home built in 1921.
- Papa's Burgers is a small kiosk-style business offering a variety of delicious burgers, milkshakes, fish and chips, and other menu items.
- Lefty's boasts flavorful dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and has been a Parksville staple since 1996.
- Happy Jack's is a modern take on the classic burger joint offering a variety of delicious menu items.
Coombs (Area)
- Trees Restaurant & Bakery offers homestyle cooking with diverse breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu options. They also have yummy bakery items. Noteworthy dishes include the crab eggs benedict. Located at 1385 Alberni Highway.
- Cuckoo's Trattoria offers authentic Italian cuisine and is known for its charming ambiance and delicious dishes. They have a beautiful outdoor patio.
Qualicum Beach
- Final Approach offers a diverse menu and a unique view of the small Qualicum Beach airport. Watch planes take off and land as you enjoy your meal.
- Q Burger is a popular restaurant in Qualicum Beach that specializes in serving award-winning hamburgers.
- Gary's Bistro is known for its relaxed atmosphere and diverse menu at affordable prices. It is located at 115 W 2nd Ave.
- Shady Rest has been a Qualicum Beach staple since 1924 and offers family-friendly dining with beautiful ocean views.
Best Family-Friendly Resort
If you want a family-friendly resort in Parksville with the added benefit of a bit of luxury for you, choose the Beach Club Resort. Situated on stunning Parksville Beach, the views from their oceanfront suites are unmatched. Plus, their all-inclusive complimentary Stay Well amenity program offers an array of indoor and outdoor amenities to make your stay even more memorable. Kayaks, standup paddle boards, beach toys, board games, and more are all FREE with your stay!
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Best Things to Do with Kids in Parksville Conclusion
From sandy beaches to educational attractions, Parksville and the surrounding towns offer a treasure trove of experiences that cater to kids of all ages. Whether splashing in the waves or exploring local wildlife, there's no shortage of fun-filled adventures awaiting your family in the charming seaside region called Oceanside.
Which one of the kid-friendly places mentioned above is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
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